How a bold idea came about

Pickup came up with the idea for this project involving energy self-sufficient parcel lockers, which require no installation work, more than a year ago. The aim was to make it easier to install lockers by bypassing the need for connection work, to better meet the growing demand for this type of service from online shoppers. A solution in line with consumers' aspirations and current environmental challenges, which effectively supports retail partners in their business objectives. After a painstaking design and development phase, a prototype was successfully installed on 26 September last year at a "Stations-e" electric vehicle charging station in Combs-la-Ville, in the Paris area. A few weeks later, the rollout of the mass production model began.

An ecological commitment for Pickup & an economic advantage for its collection point partners

With this new range of parcel lockers, Pickup is offering a parcel collection service that is both convenient and environmentally responsible, as it is powered by a renewable energy source.

In line with today's challenges, the parcel locker system is changing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have less impact on the environment.

„Creating energy self-sufficient parcel lockers powered by solar panels was a way for us to effect energy transition in real terms, and our contribution towards the common effort to promote more virtuous and responsible consumption. This solution also offers a significant benefit to our collection point partners, in that it bypasses the time and cost of connection work, as well as the electricity cost associated with running the lockers.“,

said Maxime d'Hauteville, CEO of Pickup

This new model is quicker and cheaper to install than "standard" lockers, as it requires no connection to the electrical power grid. The model is mounted on legs and has a built-in concrete weighted plinth for optimum stability. As it uses less energy, it also helps to reduce the electricity bills of partner retailers.

In terms of performance, the solar-powered parcel locker delivers on all its promises. Able to run autonomously for ten days without sunlight thanks to its batteries, the solar-powered parcel locker is every bit as reliable as plug-in models.

Its launch in autumn 2023 has allowed Pickup to validate the robustness of the model, which sailed through its first winter in all regions of France.

On top of all these benefits, it is also low maintenance. Depending on the location, it may be necessary to clean the solar panel in autumn, when leaves are falling, for example. These parcel lockers have an average lifespan of 10 years. A review will then be carried out to assess the possibility of extending the life of the equipment, by reconditioning parts that are too worn. As for unsalvageable parts, they will be sent to specialised dismantling centres for recycling in compliance with current standards.

Ambitious rollout targets

These new solar-powered parcel lockers, most of which are accessible 24/7, will gradually be offered to all Pickup partners with outdoor space (independent retailers, major retail chains, service stations, etc.).

Pickup's solar-powered parcel lockers are suited to all regions of France.

Having already installed almost 250 of the new units since September last year, Pickup is aiming to roll out more than 1,000 solar-powered parcel lockers by the end of 2024. By 2026, half of all Pickup parcel lockers should be covered in solar panels.

To take it even further, the company is also looking to reduce the energy use of its "standard" parcel lockers. To achieve this, it has developed a system that puts non-essential elements of the parcel locker on standby when it is not in use, leading to an energy saving of up to 30%. In this way, Pickup is seeking to introduce new, more responsible ways of doing things, reinventing the local experience in town centres.

More broadly, La Poste group, a major player in urban delivery solutions in France and Europe, is continuing to decarbonise its fleet, increasing the density of its network and continuing to bring its innovation to the table in terms of low-emission urban logistics.

The announcement of the launch of solar-powered parcel lockers by the La Poste group’s Pickup subsidiary is part of the group's ambition to offer 100% low-emission parcel delivery in 22 French cities by 2025.

A new unit presented at Viva Technology 2024

If you'd like to see this new unit for yourself, the Pickup solar-powered parcel locker will be on show at the Viva Technology 2024 trade fair, from 22 to 25 May, at the La Poste Group booth in Hall 1 J37, where you can also see the Group's other new designs.

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About Pickup

Pickup is a subsidiary of La Poste group via its GeoPost division, and operates France’s leading parcel pick-up network, with 17,000 collection points and 2,000 parcel lockers. Pickup points receive daily deliveries from the carriers Colissimo, Chronopost and DPD France. Pickup point delivery is offered by over 90,000 online retailers, such as: Vinted, Veepee, Showroomprivé, Sarenza, CDiscount, Zalando, Amazon, Orange, Nespresso, i.run, Sephora, Mango, Decathlon, and more. Pickup is also developing an array of solutions to meet the challenges of urban logistics, not least in partnership with the retail and mass retail sectors. Through the various divisions of Geopost (La Poste group's international parcel delivery network and the market leader in Europe), the Pickup network is also present in 30 countries around the world, with more than 100,000 collection points. Pickup's head office is based in the Paris area and the company has 400 employees.

For more information, please visit the Pickup website.